Test-driving a dog

Every now and then we’ve talked about adding a dog to the family. We wanted to be sure the kids were ready for it, and that we had the home and yard that would support it. We had reached this comfort level about the time I got an email saying Lab Rescue of North Carolina was looking for foster homes for labrador retrievers. We checked out their website, found some dogs we were interested in, filled out their comprehensive application, and waited.

We got an interview call this weekend from one of the facilitators and was referred to a foster dog owner here in Raleigh. Another call Sunday night and we arranged to meet this dog. We prepped the kids beforehand, letting them know this might not be the right dog for us. They seemed to understand, though, and looked forward to the meeting.

Last evening, the dog and its foster parents came over. We watched as Rocket, a 2-year-old lab, explored the back yard and got to know us as we got to know him. The kids gleefully chased the dog around, patting him on the back and tossing sticks for him to “retrieve.” Rocket also seemed to feel at home inside, and before long was lounging on the floor and licking faces clean.

Kelly and I think Rocket might be our dog. We’re going to wait until tonight to share the news with the kids, maybe to give us more time to consider things. Getting a dog is a big commitment but one that should reward us for years to come. Judging by the looks on our kids’ faces its the right thing to do.

Raleigh in high-rez

I just updated the Wikipedia entry for Raleigh with a sweet picture of downtown I took today. Knowing how the Wikipedia anarchy operates I’m under no illusion regarding how long the picture will last in Raleigh’s entry. The weather was just too perfect not to pop out for a quick picture or three. I only spent an hour tooling around taking pictures, though, as there was grass to be cut and neighborhood trash to be picked up.

I could’ve used a polarized filter on the lens to bring out more of the blue sky, but other than that I wouldn’t change a thing. I really like the view from the Western Boulevard overpass – better than the traditional South Saunders view, actually. I wonder why we don’t see more of it.

Just like my previous pictures, this shot is public domain. I look forward to seeing it pop up in various places.

Inflation

I got the tire fixed today that went flat Friday night. Turns out it was a tiny hairline cut at the base of the valve stem. Bizarre.

Glad we had road hazard coverage, since it was fixed for free.

Put yourself on the map

Remember how Google Maps forgot my address? I decided to find out how to get my address put back in. Google’s help pages are quite confusing in this regard, so it took a few tries before I found the cheese, so to speak.

Beginning at the Google Maps Help Page, I found a notice that the mapping info Google Maps uses had recently changed. Aha! The source of my missing map issue!

So what do you do when you suddenly go missing? You contact Tele-Atlas, the new supplier of Google Maps data, directly. I pulled up the link to Tele-Atlas’s Map Insight feedback page and submited my address for correction.

So what happens now? Tele-Atlas built a Flash-based tutorial that describes the process. I reckon their marketing department has a lot of time on its hands!

Ouch

If removing trash from the streets wasn’t enough to send me running for the ibuprofen, I took on another mammoth project today. Raleigh is having a sale on mulch until November 15th where if you buy one truckload you get one free.

Kelly and I have long wanted to put new mulch down so we jumped at this chance. We borrowed a friend’s trailer and early this morning I drove to the Yard Center on N. New Hope to pick up a load. Ten minutes and $16 later, I had 2.5 cubic yards of wood chips. (Wood chips weren’t supposed to be part of the deal, but who am I to argue with the man in the booth?)
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Cleaning up the neighborhood

Last week I got so sick of the trash littering the neighborhood streets that I decided to do something about it. So I sent out an email to neighbors announcing a day of picking up trash. While I heard from one or two people saying they would be there, I had no idea who would actually show. Six other neighbors showed up! When Kelly and the kids joined us we had a formidable team indeed.

Raleigh’s Community Services supplied us with vests, pick-up tongs, trash picks, and bags. They even arranged for Solid Waste Services to pick our bags up when we were done. If I seemed impressive when I passed all of this stuff out I have to give all the credit to Charlene and Community Services.
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John Drescher is an idiot

The N&O’s new editor John Drescher is an idiot. In today’s column, he labels both Dole and Hagan as “dodgers,” claiming Dole and Hagan sidestepped important issues.

Drescher claims Dole dodged the whole Outlying Landing Field issue until the rest of the state had made up its mind.

That’s absolutely true. Dole was asleep at the switch.

Drescher also claims Hagan dodged whether she would support the recent bailout bill.

That’s a whopper, Johnny.
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Steel-belted nerves

Had a flat tire on the way to Durham yesterday evening. A good test of bravery is to change a tire on the side of the Durham Freeway in the rain while cars zoom by at 70 MPH. I passed the test, but boy was I challenged! In another half hour I had the tire changed and actually made it to my appointment on time.

I looked the tire over thoroughly but couldn’t find any sign of a puncture or leak. I’m completely stumped.